Author's Notes:

Just because it has been a while: I do not own Claymore, the world and the original characters belong to Norihiro Yagi. However, the characters created by my own and the plot that is not part of the official storyline belongs to me.

Enjoy!

Chapter 29 – Assault on Soundcutter

Quick steps were carrying the cloaked woman through the woods as she was hastily heading towards her target. Trees were just whizzing by her as she was getting closer and closer. Her senses were urging her to hurry, because her target had already reached the one she meant to protect from her.

'Twenty minutes… please, you have to hold out that long! Hitomi!'

###

"Liara and Anna. I knew that the two of you would show up before me sooner or later. You are earlier than I had expected, though. Are you prepared to die already?"

"My, my, Hitomi, aren't you rather arrogant? After all the two of us have made it all the way to you, don't you take us too lightly. You'll regret it" Liara mockingly said.

Anna was just standing behind her, as always. Her expression was extremely stern and her eyes were fixated on Hitomi. 'Today… you will pay!' she thought to herself.

Slowly Hitomi drew her blade. She closed her eyes half way and made a few steps towards Liara and Anna. The both of them prepared themselves, too. "You know the drill, Anna. Don't screw up. That woman is no joke."

"I know" Anna shot back. 'She is… the former Number 3, after all. And because of her…'

###

"Do you have any questions regarding your first mission after seven years, Stormcutter?"Chief Rimuto asked the warrior standing in the middle of the meeting hall.

Hitomi, the Organization's Number 9 of that time, was completely calm on the outside. Even though it was well hidden by her uniform, her whole torso, left leg and left arm were completely bandaged. Seven years before she had lost her left arm and suffered severe damage to her torso and leg. Since she had been an offensive type the Organization had already deemed her death, but her iron will enabled her to recover. She, the former Number 3, had finally been been reintegrated into the ranks of the active warriors after claiming herself how ready she was to go onto missions again.

She simplay shook her head.

"Very well, Stormcutter. We've been taken care of you for seven years. Be sure to pay that time back!" Rimuto commanded.

"I can't see what ever you'd be worried about" the warrior said, turned around and left.

'Stormcutter Hitomi,' Rimuto mused while watching her leave, 'if it wasn't for Dae's pleading to properly study your regenerative abilities you'd be dead already. I will never truly understand what that man is thinking… but to see you standing… I have high hopes for you. Don't you dare disappoint me!'

###

Anna had just finished another job. Even though she hand't been on active duty for long she had already made it into the twenties and her handler's favorite.

It was he, who she was about to meet that evening. She had just etered the forest and was heading towards a small light she could see through all the trees. Also, she could already feel the Yoki of one of her comrades. Her best friend, who had been assigned to the same handler by chance, was already with him, probably waiting for her. Filled with joy she sped up.

"Jana!" she joyfully shouted upon reaching the clearing she and her handler were waiting in. She leaped towards her friend and hugged her cheerfully.

"My, my," Jana giggled, "don't do such embarassing things in front of him!"

"He he," she chuckled, "I bet Orsay enjoys seeing us like this, too!"

"As if" he deadpanned. "All the two of you ever do is taking up my precious time with your child's play."

"Meanie!" Anna said with played indignation. "Told you so!" Jana jokingly lectured her. Both of them giggled and Orsay only could shake his head.

"So, so, Jana, what are you going to do next?" Anna nosily wanted to know.

"Ha, puny Number 29," Jana mocked her proudly, "you would never understand the importance of my mission, for I am facing something you have yet to hear of!"

Anna blinked a few times.

"Off I am, stupid!" she giggled and dashed away. "Be sure to catch up with me!" she shouted from afar.

Veins were showing on Anna's forehead. "Oh, that uber-important girl ticks me off sometimes" she grunted. Orsay sighed. "Since you are going to ask anyways, she's going onto a difficult job together with a Single-Digit, Stormcutter Hitomi."

"Never heard of her" Anna deadpanned. However, shortly after, in realization, she burst out "An Awakened Being hunt?"

###

'Jana…' Anna mused, 'today is the day…'

"Today is the day…" Anna whispered, leaving Liara puzzled.

She made several steps towards Hitomi, passed Liara in the provess, drew her blade and began to dash towards Hitomi.

Seemingly unimpressed the farly more skilled Number 5 avoided all of her comrade's attacks easily. Liara cursed at Anna, telling her to stick to the plan, but without effect. Grounding her teeth she joined the fray.

Liara noticed right away how something was off about Anna and how that led to the both of them being played with by Hitomi more than having an actual fight. Both of them spent roughly half of the time lying on the ground or flying through the air. They did not manage to land even one hit, despite both of them making plenty of use of their own unique skills.

Anne crashed right into Liara after being sent flying by Hitomi, leading to both of them roughly hitting the ground. Slowly picking up themselves, Liara whispered to Anna: "What are you doing you moron? Do you want to get us killed?" Anna grunted. "Shut it, this one is mine. You should be passive today!"

"Don't give me that shit!" Liara shouted angrily. "Why have the dog fight when the wolf is present?"

Anna's Yoki rose to thirty percent and she shot a piercing glare at Liara. "You. Are. Passive. Today."

"Ts" the pig-tailed warrior sizzled, "then go and die, shitface." Liara leaped back and got ready to support Anna with the technique only the two of them were able to use – the Yoki-Link.

And then Anna crossed her limits and lunged at Hitomi.

Author's notes:

Anna's motivation for wanting to kill Hitomi becomes more clear – but are her and Liara enough to take on Hitomi? Wait and see!

And I thank you again for reading and reviewing.

kstefan88